Washing apparatus



ay 9 1939, F. A. WALKER ET AL WASHING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 193*! '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventors Forrest, A. Walker, Edgar SStoddard,

by )9 The r Attovney F. A. WALKER ET AL 2,157,943

WASHING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invent, OT 5:

Forrest, A. Walker, Edgah 5. Stoddard,

ThZiT Attorney.

9, 1939. F. A. wALKEl ETI AL WASHING APPARATU S Filed Aug. 27, 1915'? 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Ivento'rs Forrest A.Walker-, I Edgar 5. Stoddard, b

a J The r Attorneg,

Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED, STATES PATENT oFFicr.

WASHING APPARATUS- Application August 21, 1937. Serial No. 101,253

1-0 Claims. (CI. 98-81) This invention relates to washing apparatus, more particularly to household dishwashing apparatus, and it has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character.

This invention is particularly applicable to household dishwashing machines which have a front opening providing for the insertion and removal of dishes and utensils to and from the washing vat, and it contemplates the provision in apparatus of this character of an improved door structure providing means for venting the washing vat.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of dishwashing apparatus embodying this invention, parts being broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of door structure usedin the washing apparatus of Fig. 1 and embodying this invention, parts being broken away and shown in section so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken through the lines 3-3, 44, 5-5, 66, 'l-I, and 8-8 respectively of Fig. 2,.and looking in the'directionof the respective arrows associated with these lines; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating a modified form of this invention, parts being broken away and in section so as to illustrate certain details of construction; and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sectional views taken through the lines Ill-40, Il--ll and l2-l2 respectively of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, this invention has been shown as applied to household dishwashing apparatus of the front opening type. As shown in Figs. 1 to 8, this apparatus comprises a washing chamber or vat l0 which, while it may have any suitable form, preferably will be rectangular in horizontal and vertical cross section. This vat I0 is supported in a suitable cabinet II which in turn is supported on a base l2. Arranged in the lower portion of the vat I0 is a water circulating impeller l3 driven by an electric motor l4 supported under the vat, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Above the impeller i3 is a. suitable open-work dish-supporting rack l5. v

It will be understood that the vat I0 is closed at its inner end, at the sides, top and bottom, while the front end It is open to provide for the insertion of dishes to and their withdrawal from the vat. The cabinet H is provided with a front opening ll registering with the opening in the vat.

The front of the dishwashing machine is enclosed by means of a door l8 arranged in accordance with this invention.

The door It comprises outer'and inner panels 0 walls l9 and Na. which are supported by means of a metallic frame-work 20. The metallic framework 2|] comprises a pair of transverse channels 2| and 22 arranged in substantially parallel relation with each other and vertically spaced apart, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. These channels at their ends are secured to upright parallel channels 23 and 24 mounted one within the other to which they may be secured in any suitable manner, as by-welding. The frame 20 is hinged at its lower end to suitable hinge brackets 25 which are secured to suitable supporting members 28 by means of screw fastening means 21. As shown, suitable hinge pins 28 are secured to the lower end portions of the side channels 28 and 24. These pins are rotatably mounted in seats 29 provided for them in the hinge brackets. The side channels also carry pins 2911. below the pins 28 to which a suitable counter-balance structure29b is attached.

The front panel I9 is secured at its lower end to the two upright channel members 23 and 24 by means of screw fastening means 30 (Figs. 2 and '7). The two vertical side edges of the front panel and also its top edge are provided with flanges l9b turned inwardly toward the machine, as clearly shown in Flgs. 3 and 4, and these flanges in turn terminate in in-turned flanges I9c arranged substantially parallel to the general plane of the frontpanel. The flange portions I91: and We at the top are hung over the tops of the channels 23 and the top porttion l9c is brought into this space between these channels and the front surface of the inner panel I911. as clearly shown in Fig. 7. This supports the outer panel and secures it to the door frame at the top.

The inner panel I911. is also secured to the upright channels 23 and 24. For this purpose, U- shaped clip members 3|, shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 4 and 7 are secured to the outer surface of the inner panel in any suitable fashion as by welding. These clip members, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7 are received in the channel members and have their bases secured to the channel members by means of screw fastening means 3m. directed through openings in the channel members and received in threaded engagement by the clip members.

The front door is arranged to provide means for venting the vat l0. As shown, the front panel I9 is provided with a series of louvers 32 cut through it. These louvers preferably will be relatively elongated cross-wise of the front of the apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Preferably they will be arranged in parallel relation as shown in these figures. Also preferably, the louvers will be arranged in the central area of the panel. The rear panel |9a is provided with a rectangular recessed or depressed portion 33 opposite the louvers, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, and extending over a substantial area of the mid-section of the rear panel.

The bottom wall 34 of the recess is spaced from the front panel H! as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Arranged within the bottom wall 34 is a relatively large rectangular aperture 35 opposite the louvers 32 in the front panel. The bottom wall is provided with an outwardly extending angular portion 36 surrounding the opening 35 as shown and between this angular portion and the inner surface of the front panel is inserted a flexible sealing member 31 formed of any suitable material such as rubber.

The bottom wall 34 of the reentrant portion 33 is secured to the outer p nel by means of T- headed screws 310. having their heads welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner surface of the outer panel l9 as shown in Fig. 6 and extending through apertures provided for them in the bottom wall 34. These screws, as shown, also are directed through apertures provided for them in the sealing member 31. The wall 34 is secured by means of hexagonal nuts 38 threaded on the screws 31a as shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 2 there are six of these securing members 31a provided, three at the top and three at the bottom of the reentrant portion.

Back of the opening 35 and within the recess 33 is a baffle 39. The baflle 39, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, extends substantially from the upper end of the recess 33 to a point removed somewhat from the bottom of the recess so as to leave a space 39a between the lower edge of the baflie and the lower end wall of the recess. The opening 39a constitutes a passageway leading into the vertical passageway 40 between the bottom of the recess section and the baiile member, this space communicating with the exterior of the vat through the louvers 32 in the front panel. In other words, the bafile cooperating with the bot tom wall of the recess forms a chimney connecting the interior of the vat with the louvers. This constitutes a. vent passageway for the vat. The panel 39 at its corners is secured to the corner screws or studs 31a. by means of screws 4| threaded into the nuts 38, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 6. At the edges the panel is provided with inturned flanges 42, Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, which receive a. U-shaped sealing member 43 that is received in a seat 44 provided in the reentrant section 33.

The upper edge of the outer panel is provided with a recess 53 (Figs. 2; 3 and 8) in which is placed a bracket 54 arranged to receive a locking latch member 55 in the manner described and claimed in the copending application of E. S. Stoddard and P. K. Berman, Serial No. 161,259, flied August 27, 1937, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

The inner panel is provided with an inwardly extending sealing flange 56 (Figs. 3 to '7) in the manner described and claim in the copending application of Forrest A. Walker, Serial No. 161,257, filed August 27, 1937, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

A suitable handle 51 is secured to the front panel whereby the door may be conveniently opened and closed.

The above door structure is very rigid and mechanically strong and yet has simple construction. Furthermore, it provides an improved means for venting the vat. It is important that the vat be vented, particularly so when it is being filled withhot cleansing water. As the water flows in, a pressure is built up in it which is relieved through the chimney l and vent openings 32.

In Figs. 9 to 12 there is illustrated a modified form of this invention. Here, like in the first form, the door is provided with front and rear panels 58 and 59. The rear panel has a depressed central section 66. The bottom wall 6| of the recess is spaced from the front panel 68. Arranged withinthe bottom wall 6| is a relatively large rectangular aperture 62 opposite the louvers 63 in the front panel. The metal 64 of the walls of the panel surrounding this aperture is flanged outwardly toward the front panel, and interposed between the outer edge of this flange and the inner wall of the front panel is a sealing member 65, preferably formed of rubber.

Back of the opening 62 and within the recess 66 is a batlle 66. The baifle 66 extends substantially from the upper end of the recess to a point removed somewhat from the bottom of the recess, as

. shown in Fig. 10 so as to leave a space 61 between the lower edge of the baflie and the lower end wall of the recess. The opening 61 consitutes a passageway leading into the vertical passageway 68 between the bottom wall of the recessed section 60 and the bafile member, this space communicating with the exterior of the vat through the louvers 63 in the front panel.

The baffle 66 at its upper end is provided with a pair of hinge-like brackets 69 at its opposite sides which are secured to a similar pair of brackets 10 by means of cotter pins 'H. The brackets 10 are rigidly secured to the bottom wall 6| of the recess in any suitable manner, as by welding. At the bottom, the baille is provided with a button 12 which is spherical in form. The spherical button is received in an aperture provided for it in a bracket 13 that is attached to the bottom wall 6| of the recess. The spherical button is formed in sections which yield to move inwardly toward each other to permit the sphere to be inserted in the aperture and when inserted spring outwardly to securely hold the lower end of the baflie to the inner panel. Preferably, spacers 14 will be inserted between the lower end of the baflle and the bottom wall 6| of the recess. These spacers are secured to the wall 6| in any suitable manner, as by welding. I

The central part of the door is mechanically reenforced by means securing the two panels 58 and 59 rigidly together at this area. As shown, a metallic framework is secured to the inner panel comprising a pair of vertically spaced metallic bars 15 and 16 secured at their upper and lower ends to transverse bars TI and I6 which in turn are secured to the inner surface of the inner panel; the bars '|5 and 16 may be secured to each other and the latter bars to the inner panel in any suitable manner, as by welding. The vertical bars "I and 16 are received in U-shaped clips 19 secured to the inner surface of the front panel 58 in any suitable manner as by welding. In the base of these strips are threaded suitable set-screws 80 which are turned inwardly sufficiently to tension slightly the vertical bars 15 and 16 thereby insuring a rigid mechanical conneotion between the two panels in the central area and strengthening the door generally at this portion. 5 While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention it will be understood of coursethat I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I therefore contemplate in the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising inner and outer walls, the inner wall having a depressed section directed toward the outer wall, the bottom wall of said depressed section having an aperture therein and the outer wall having a vent opening opposite said no aperture, and a bafile in the depressed section spaced from the bottom wall thereof and also having one edge spaced from the associated wall of the depressed section to provide an opening through which air and the like can flow from the 3g inner side of the door into the space between the baflie and bottom wall of the depressed section and thence can flow through said vent opening in the front wall to the outside of the door.

2. A door structure for washing apparatus and w the like comprising an outer panel in which vent openings are provided and an inner panel spaced from the outer panel, the inner panel having a depressed section in the bottom wall of which an aperture is.formed opposite said vent openings,

w the walls of the inner panel around said aperture extending toward the inner surface of the outer panel, and a baffle in said depressed section substantially flush with the general plane of said inner panel and spaced from the bottom wall of 4 the depressed section and also spaced from at least one edge thereof to provide a passageway for air and the like from the vat into the depressed section and thence through said aperture to said vent openingsin the outer panel.

3. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising inner and outer spaced panels, louvers in the central section of the outer panel, the inner panel having a vertically elongated depressed central section and an opening in said 50 section opposite said louvers, the walls of the -inner panel around said opening extending outwardly toward the inner surface of the outer panel, and a vertically positioned bafiie in said depressed section spaced from its bottom, and

55 also having its lower edge spaced from the lower edge of the depressed section.

4. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising an outer panel in which vent openings are provided and an inner panel spaced 0 from the outer panel, the inner panel having a depressed section in which an aperture is formed opposite said vent openings, the walls of the inner panel around said aperture extending toward the inner surface of the outer panel, a sealing mem- 5 her between said outer panel and the outer edges of said walls, and a baffle in said depressed section spaced from its bottom, and also from at least one edge thereof to provide a passageway for air and the like from inside the door to the depressed 70 section and thence through the opening in the inner panel and those in the outer panel to the exterior of the door.

5. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising inner and outer walls, the

75 inner wall being recessed toward the outer wall and the outer wall having vent openings opposite the recess in the inner wall, a baflle in said recess spaced from the bottom of the recess and also arranged to leave a space between at least one of its edges-and the associated edge of the recess through which air and the like can flow from inside the door to the recess and thence through said vent openings in the front wall, means hinging the upper end of the baffle to the inner wall, and an expanding securing member at the bottom of the baiiie received in an aperture provided for it in a member on the inner wall.

6. A door for washing apparatus and the like having a framework, means pivotally supporting the lower end of the framework so that the framework can be swung to and from the opening of the door, inner and outer panels secured to said framework in spaced relation to each other, clips secured to and spaced at intervals over the central area of one of said panels and facing the other panel, and bars secured to the other panel and received in said clips to secure the panels together in the central area and to reenforce this section of the door.

7. A door structure comprising a framework,

means pivotally supporting the lower end of the framework so that the framework can be swung to and from the opening of the door, inner and outer panels secured to said framework in spaced relation to each other, with the framework sandwiched between them, the upper end of the outer panel having a return portion fitted over said framework and sandwiched between the framework and inner panel to secure the upper end of the outer panel, and means detachably securing the lower end of said outer panel to said frame work.

8. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising an outer panel in which vent openings are provided and an inner panel spaced from the outer panel, the inner panel having a depressed section in the bottom wall of which an aperture is formed oppositesaid vent openings, screw fastening means securing said bottom wall to said outer panel, a bafiie in said depressed section substantially flush with the general plane of said inner panel and spaced from the bottom wall of the depressed section and also spaced from at least one edge thereof to provide a passageway for air and the like from the inner side of said door into the depressed section and thence through said aperture to said vent openings in the outer panel, and means detachably securing said bafile to said screw fastening means.

9. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising an outer panel in which vent openings are provided and an inner panel spaced from the outer panel, the inner panel having a depressed section in the bottom wall of which an aperture is formed opposite said vent openings, the walls around said aperture having an angle formation with the apex of the angle directed toward the front panel, a flexible sealing member between the apex and front panel, and a baffie in said depressed section substantially flush with the general plane of said inner panel and spaced from the bottom wall of the depressed section and also spaced from at least one edge thereof to provide a passageway for air and the like from the inner side of the door into the depressed section and thence. through said aperture to said vent openings in the outer panel.

10. A door structure for washing apparatus and the like comprising an outer panel in which vent openings are provided and an inner panel spaced from the outer panel, the inner panel having a depressed section in the bottom wall of which an aperture is formed opposite said vent openings, the walls around said aperture having an angle formation with the apex oi the angle directed toward the front panel, a flexible sealing member between the apex and front panel. a baifle in said depressed section substantially flush with the general plane of said inner panel and spaced from the bottom wall of the depressed section and also aiemae spaced from at least one edge thereof to provide a passageway for air and the like from the inner side of the door into the depressed section and thence through said aperture to said ve'nt openings in the outer panel, and a flexible sealing.

FORREST A. WALKER. EDGAR/S. STODDARD. 

